He said he was not convinced by the Minister’s offer that Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy would strive to introduce reservations from the current academic year. On day five of his fast, he reiterated his demand for making public the Usha Mehra Commission’s report within 24 hours and introducing a Bill in Parliament within 48 hours for categorisation of the Scheduled Castes.

Minister’s offer

The Minister offered to quit the Cabinet and join hands with him in the struggle, if, for some reason, reservations were not introduced in the coming academic year. Unmoved, Mr. Krishna reiterated that ‘Madigas’ would not be deceived again by the Congress and the Chief Minister.

Earlier, as the Minister was coming into the building where Mr. Krishna Madiga was on fast, dozens of MRPS cadres raised slogans. Brandishing kerosene bottles, they threatened to immolate themselves.

Meanwhile, the indefinite fast being undertaken by Mala Mahanadu leader Jupudi Prabhakara Rao, entered the fourth day. Attempts by Animal Husbandry Minister Gollapalli Surya Rao to persuade him to call it off were in vain. Mr. Prabhakara Rao reiterated his demand against the categorisation and recalled that the Supreme Court had ruled against reservations.

Staff Reporter from Rajahmundry adds: Congress MP from Amalapuram G.V. Harshakumar threatened to resign if a Bill on categorisation of SCs was introduced in Parliament.

He said categorisation was against the interests of unity among the SCs. He described the fasts by Manda Krishna and Prabhakara Rao as ‘pressure politics’.